Dental unit



April 22, 1947. R. L. ROOF DENTAL UNIT F'iled Nov. 5, 1946 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VE N TOR. RAYMOND L... ROOF ATTURNEY.

ELECTRIC/TY =fif=IIIZIIIIII TIIZIZIZZZ 76 5 April 22, 1947. ROOF 2,419,370

' DENTAL UNIT I Filed NOV. 5, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

RAYMOND l ROOF A TTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 22, 19 47 UNITED STATES PAT ENT, O F Fl-C 2,419,370. I

I DENTAL UNIT Raymond L. Roof, Paducah, Ky. Application November 5, 1946, Serial No. 707,813

1 i 'Ihis'invention relates to dental 'equipment, and more particularly to a dental operating unit adapted-to house and support instrumentalities generally and frequentl employed by a dentist inthe-practice of his profession;

It isan important object of this invention to provide an improved unitary dental apparatus having parts so arranged as to contain and sup port the various instruments commonly used in thep'erf'ormance-of dental operations;

Another important object of theinvention is to provide a dental op'erating unit that is adaptd'to be readily moved alternately toward and awayfrom a; patient in the'us'ual dental chair toi thereby place the instrumentalities used by a dentist in carrying out dental operations with in; easy reach of the dentist, whether he is in a standing or seated position during'the operation, and to permit the patient to readily seat himself in or remove himself from -th'egden'tai chair, as desired." I

Ihis invention has for another important ob- 10 Claims;

like. The foregoing instrumentalities. and. de

vices are suitably mounted to the cabinet and'iare tion is in the provision of an upstanding tubular member whichis rigidly fastened to' the floor and projects into the hollow-pedestal through the bot-- torn wall thereof. "The tubular element" serves .ject the. provision. of a ;dental unit ofimproved I construction an'd'characterized by mounting a dental cabinet in pivotal relation to an upstanding tubular element orv conduitthrough which one. orimjore other conduits for energizing instrumentalitiescarrie dby the cabinet extend from a point below" the surface of a floor or the. like upwardly'into the cabinet.

A further object of the inventionis to-provide a. dental operatingun'it wherein'the usual dental instruments, that are electrically energized or that utilize. water, air, or other, fluid material, I

are connected by conduits, or the like, which pass downwardly throughthe unit and'emerge from the bottomoi the unit, whencethey. are connected tosuitablesources ofsupply, the point ofegress of theconduits from the unit being out of sight. A still further object, of the invention. isto provide a unit off the character indicated that is two important functions. First, it constitutes a pivot about which the cabinet may be rotated so as-to be moved toward or away from-the3usua1 dental chair at'the will of the-dentist; and" secondyit houses conduits whereby electricity, water,

air or other gases are transmitted to the respective instruments carried by the cabinet top. These conduits enter the tubular element from beneath the surface of the floor, pass upwardly throughthe tubular-element, and thence through the interior of the hollow pedestal and are con nectedto corresponding instrumentalities. In this manner; the conduits are completely out of sight and are so arranged as to obviate the possibility of a person stumbling or tripping over them, as may happen with conventional forms ofconstructi on wherein the conduits are exposed'and present hazardous obstructions. f

Access to the conduits in the course of as- 'sembly, for purposes ofrepair, or to place cor tain conduits into or out of active service, is attained through a hinged closure carried at the end of the hollow pedestal, Similarly, access to attractive, compact'and sturdy in design; that is reasonable in initial and maintenance, costs; and that is capableof performing. its intended functions in an effective anditrouble-free manner;

To. the'end. that the above enumerated objects maybe attained, I have developed. a dental unit comprisinga cabinet adapted tov support-or contain theva'rious instruments 'and. devices commonly. employed in the practice of dentistry. These instruments and devices may include, a warm air syringe, awarmjwater syringe, an elecing instrumentality, a.-;basinhaving water supl yand drainage iacilities, a gas. burner and the drilling unit, one or more lights, a cauterizdevices within the top is readily attained through a hinged top cover. Thef'other pedestalis preferably'provided with a series of drawers within which, may be stored the usual. accessory items of equipment used by a dentist, such as drill bits, rotary brushes, scrapers, scalpels, forceps; and the like.

The roller. means carried by the other pedestal preferably consists, of a pair of Spaced-apart casters thatrotate about'axes normal tothe axis of rotation of the, cabinet with 2659 2. t0. h

tubular element. By so arranging the casters, pivotal movement of, the cabinet is facilitated and sending of or otherwise marring the floor is completely eliminated.

Th above mentioned objects, as well as, other objects, together with the advantages obtainable by the employment of the apparatus of this invention, will be readily understood by persons versed in the art upon reference to the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, which respectively describe and illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dental unit constructed in accordance with the invention,

with parts broken away and parts omitted for better illustration;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view starting at a horizontal plane through line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of Figure l with parts omitted; and o Figure 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 and is illustrativeof a modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to Figure 1, a dental cabinet, generally indicated by numeral I0, includes a pair of spaced apart hollow supports or pedestals l l and I2 having bottom walls !3 and M, respectively. Bottom wall I3 of pedestal l i is preferably made of metal and has a circular aperture l5 formedtherein, as is best shown in Figure 2. A hollow top [6 is secured to the upper portion'of and spans the space between the pedestals to thereby obtain a rigid, unitary cabinet construction. Access to the interior of hollow pedestal H is gained through a vertically hinged door I! in the outer side face of this pedestal. In a similar manner, access to the interior of hollow top It i attained by way of a top cover I8 that is coupled to the top by hinges l9. Pedestal I2 carries a series of sliding drawers, including-drawers 2B and 2|, for storing the usual accouterments employed by a dentist for purposes or examination, treatment and operation.

Anupstanding tubular element 25, that is preferably a section of a right circular cylindrical conduit, has a ring 26 secured to its lower endby screws 21. The ring-is provided with a plurality of lateral extensions 28 which receive screws 29 r for fastening the ring to floor 36, whereby tubular element 25, by'virtue of its connection with ring 26, is rigidly maintained in the illustrated upright position. As is shown in the drawings, tubular element 25 projects upwardly through aperture I5 and terminates within pedestal I l.

Secured to the under surface of pedestal l2 by a series of screws 3i is an arcuate bar 32. Roller means, such as a pair of spaced casters 33 and 34, are affixed to bar 32 and depend therefrom.

pedestal II is a pair of spaced casters 35 that maybe of the swivel or non-swivel type. It is recommended that casters 35 be of the nonswivel type and be rotatable about axes normal to the axis of tubular element 25, as in the case ,of casters 33 and 34 to avoid scufiing the floor surface.

Reference is next had to Figure 2 for details of construction of a pair of bearing means cooperating with hollow pedestal H and tubular element 25. One of these bearing means includes a supporting ring or member 35 that is generally Z-shaped in cross section and that is attached to tubular element 25 by screws 31. Member 36 carries a bearing ring 38 having an annular raceway in its under surface for the reception of ball bearings 39. The other'bearing means comprises a member 40, also generally Z-shaped in cross section, that is attached to bottomwall l3 of hollow pedestal H by screws 4!. Within member M1 is a ring 42 having an annular raceway for ball bearings 43. It will be noted that the first and second described bearing means, respectively, prevent upward movement of pedestal H with respect to tubular element 25 and lateral movement of the pedestal with respect to the tubular element, while maintaining the tubular element out of engagement with the surface of bottom wall 13 that defines aperture I5.

Thus it will be observed that cabinet 10 is readily rotatable about the axis of tubular element 25 and may be, quickly and with a minimum of effort on the part of the dentist, moved toward or away from the usual dental chair. The arrangement above described minimizes friction between tubular element 25 and hollow pedestal II. Addi-' tionally, this arrangement reduces frictional contact between the various casters and the surface of the floor, while effectively overcoming the possibility of these casters scuiling or otherwise, marring the floor surface, particularly at such times as movement is initially imparted to thecabinetin either direction of rotation or when there is a change in direction of rotation of the cabinet.

Among the instruments normally employed with my dental unit are a warm air syringe 44 and a warm water syringe 45 that aredetachably secured to the cabinet by means of respective spring clips 45 and 41 mounted on the front face of hollow top l6. Also mounted on the front of the cabinet is a conventional dental cuspidor 48. Instrumentalities, that extend upwardly of the top of the cabinet may include a Bunsen type gas burner 49 and an electrical drill ing unit, generally indicated by numeral 50, which is connected to the upper end of a hollow post 5| by a universal coupling 52. The drilling unit depicted in Figure 1 includes an electric motor 53, a drive belt E i, and a drilling head 55..

Warm air, warm water, gas and electrical energy are transmitted to corresponding instruments and devices by suitable conduits, all Of which enter into the interiorof tubular, element 25 from below the surface of floor 30, pass upwardly therethrough, and are connected to respectiveinstruments and devices in a manner that will. now be described; These conduits are best shown in Figure '1 and include a warm water' conduit 60 having a shut-off valve 6| and communicating with a first branchfconduit 62, that inturn conP nects with flexible tubing 63 which is coupled to warm water syringe 45, and a second branch conduit 65 that communicates with an outlet connection 66 for dental cuspidor. 48. Excess water discharged by outlet connection 65 and mouth rinses and the like expectorated by a patient are received in dental cuspidor and drained ther from by way of a'waste conduit 51, whichjin turn passes downwardly through the interior of hollow pedestal H and tubular element'25. A warm air conduit .10 communicates with'a flexible tubing is 64 that is connected to warm air syringe v44. .A gas conduit '1 I having a series shut-off valve 12 is in communication with gas burner 39. A comduit 15 contains a pair of electrical conductors 15 that are connected to a suitable transformer H which in turn is connected by conductors (not shown) within a conduit 118 to .electrical terminal box 19. Electrical connection is established between terminal box 19 and electric motor 53 by way of electrical conductors (not shown) that extend through a conduit 8!! and hollow post A dial switch 8I carried by a panel board 8,2 within hollow top I26 'is electricalcommunication with *teminal box 19 through the medium of conductors (not shown) in a conduit 83. As

is indicated in Figure 1, panel board 82 carries a plurality of switches for placing various devices (not shown) :into and out of active service.

vEach of conduits Bil, 51, It, 7i and enters the interior of tubular element from a point below the surface of the floor, extends upwardly therethrough and into hollow pedestal H, and is then connected by corresponding other conduits to the various instrumentalities carried by the cabinet. A number of the conduits within the cabinet are either wholly flexible or have sections that are flexible to permit of rotation of the cabinet about tubular element 25 without damaging or breaking any of these conduits.

Reference is next had to Figure 4, which illustrates a modified form of the'invention. In this embodiment, hollow pedestal I! isnot supported on casters, but instead is supported on a bearing means carried by tubular element 25. This bearing vmeans consists of an annular support member =85 that embraces tubular element 25 and is attached thereto by screws 86, a bearing ring '81 within member 85, and carrying a series of ball .bearings 88 in an annular raceway. A second bearing means maintains the surface of bottom wall 13 that defines aperture :5 out of engagement with the external surface of tubular element 25. This second bearing means includes .a ring member 89 that is disposed within hollow pedestal H and is attached to the upper surface of bottom wall 13 by screws 98. Within member 89 is a bearing ring 9! having an annular raceway for guiding ball bearings 92. As in the case of the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the members 85 and 89 of the second embodiment are generally Z-shaped in cross-section.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation, and advantages of 'my present invention will be readily comprehended by persons sln'lled in the .art. It is to "be clearly understood, however, that various changes in the apparatus set forth above may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention, it being intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in the drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limitlng sense.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described adapted to be mounted on a floor or the like, a cabinet comprising a pair of spaced supports and a top secured to the upper portion of each support and spanning the space therebetween, one of said supports being hollow, an upstanding tubular member adapted to be rigidly attached to the floor and communicating with the interior of the hollow support through the lower end thereof, said cabinet being rotatable with respect to the tubular element, an instrument detachably secured to the top, and a conduit connected to the instrument and extending through the interior of the hollow support and the tubularelement. 6 2.111 apparatus of the character described adapted to be mounted on a floor or the like, a cabinet comprising a pair of spaced supports :and a top secured to the upper portion of each support and spanning the space .therebetween, one of said supports being hollow, an upstanding tubular member adapted to be rigidly attached to the floor and communicating with the interior of the hollow support through the lower end thereof, said cabinet being rotatable with respect to :the tubular element, instrumentalities utilizing electricity, water and gas carried by the top, and conduits connected to the instrumental-ities and extending through the interior of the hollow support and the tubular element.

5. In apparatus of the character described adapted to be mounted on a floor or the like, a cabinet comprising a pair of spaced pedestals and a top secured to the upper portion of each pedestal and spanning the :space therebetween, separate roller means attached to each of the pedestals and extending therebelow, one of said pedestals being hollow, an upstanding tubular member adapted to be rigidly attached to the and communicating with the interior of the llc'w pedestal through the lower end thereof, cabinet being rotatable with respect to the tubular eiement, an instrument 'detachably secured :tc the'tcp, and a conduit connected to the instrument and extending through the interior of the hollow pedestal and tubular element,

4. In apparatus of "the character described adapted to be mounted on a floor or the like, a cabinet comprising a. pair of spaced'pedestals and a top secured to the upper portion of each pedestal and spanning the space therebetween, of said pedestals being hollow, roller means attached to the other of said pedestals only and extending below, an upstanding tubular member adapt d to be rigidly attached to the floor and communicating with the interior of the hollow pedestal through the lower end thereof,

. cabinet being rotatable with respect to the tubular element, an instrument detachably secured to the top, a conduit connected to instrument and extending through the interior of the hollow pedestal and the tubular element.

5. In apparatus of the character described adapted to be mounted on a floor or the like, a cabinet comprising :a pair of spaced pedestals and a top secured to the upper portion of each pedestal and spanning the space therebetween,

one of said pedestals being hollow, roller means.

attached to the other of said pedestals and extending therebelow, an upstanding tubular member adapted to be rigidly attached to the floor and communicating with the interior of the hollow pedestal through the lower end thereof, said cabinet being rotatable with respect to the tubular element, said roller means being rotatable about an axis that is normal to the axis of rotation of the cabinet with respect to the tubular element, an instrument detachably secured to the top, and a conduit connected to the instrument and extending through the interior of the hollow pedestal and the tubular element.

6. In apparatus of the character described adapted to be mounted on a floor or the like, a cabinet comprising a pair of spaced pedestals and a top secured to the upper portion of each 7 pedestal and spanning the space therebetween, one of said pedestals being hollow, an upstanding tubular member adapted to be rigidly attached to the floor and communicating with the interior of the hollow pedestal through the lower end thereof, said cabinet being rotatable with respect to the tubular element, a pair of spaced rollers attached to the other of said pedestals and extending therebelow, each of said rollers being rotatable about respective axes that are normal to the axis of rotation of the cabinet with respect to the tubular element, instrumentalities utilizing electricity, water and gas carried by the top, and conduits connected to the instrumentalities and extending through the interior of the hollow pedestal and the tubular element.

7. In apparatus of the character described adapted to be mounted on a floor or the like, a cabinet comprising a pair of spaced pedestals and a top secured to the upper portion of each pedestal and spanning the space therebetween, one of said pedestals being hollow and including a bottom wall having an opening therethrough, an upstanding tubular member adapted to be rig idly attached to the floor and extending through the opening in the hollow pedestal, said cabinet being rotatable with respect to the tubular element, bearing means embracing the tubular element and engaging the bottom Wall of the hollow pedestal to prevent movement of the hollow pedestal in one direction along the axis of the tubular element and lateral movement of said cabinet with respect to the tubular element, an instrument detachably secured to the top, and a conduit connected to the instrument and extending through the interior of the hollow pedestal and the tubular element.

8. In apparatus of the character described adapted to be mounted on a floor or the like, a cabinet comprising a pair of spaced pedestals and a top secured to the upper portion of each pedestal and spanning the space therebetween, one of said pedestals being hollow and including a bottom wall having an opening therethrough, an upstanding tubular member adapted to be rigidly attached to the floor and extendin through the opening in the hollow pedestal, said cabinet being rotatable with respect to the tubular element, a pair of spaced rollers attached to the other of said pedestals and extending therebelow, each of said rollers being rotatable about respective axes that are normal to the axis of rotation of the cabinet with-respect to the tubular element, bearing means embracing the tubular element and engaging the bottom wall of the hollow pedestal to prevent movement of the hollow pedestal in one direction along the axis of the tubular element and lateral movement of said cabinet with respect totthe tubular element, an instrument detachably secured to the top, and a conduit connected to the instrument and extending through the interior of the hollow pedestal and the tubular element.

9. In apparatus of the character described adapted to be mounted on a floor or the like, a cabinet comprising a pair of spaced pedestals and a top secured to the upper portion of each pedestal and spanning the space therebetween, one of said pedestals being hollow and including a bottom wall having an opening therethrough, an upstanding tubular member adapted to be rigidly attached to the floor and extending through the opening in the hollow pedestal, saidcabinet being rotatable with respect to the tubular element, means for supporting the hollow pedestal comprising a member embracing and afiixed to the tubular element and bearing means carried by the member directly below the bottom wall of the hollow pedestal, an instrument detachably secured to the top, and a conduit connected to the instrument and extending through the interior of the hollow pedestal and the tubular element.

10. In apparatus of the character described adapted to be mounted on a floor or the like, a cabinet comprising a pair of spaced pedestals and a top secured to the upper portion of each pedestal and spanning the space therebetween, one of said pedestals being hollow and including a bottom wall having an opening therethrough, an upstanding tubular member adapted to be rigidly attached to the floor and extending through the opening in the hollow pedestal, said cabinet being rotatable with respect to the tubular element, a pair of spaced rollers attached to the other of said pedestals and extending therebelow, each of said rollers being rotatable about respective axes that are normal to the axis of rotation of the cabinet with respect to the tubular element, means for supporting the hollow pedestal comprising a member embracing and afiixed to the tubular element and bearing means carried by the member directly below the bottom wall of the hollow pedestal, an instrument detachably secured to the top, and a conduit connected to the instrument and extending through the interior of the hollow pedestal and the tubular element.

RAYMOND L. ROOF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number a Name Date 845,707 Randolph Feb. 26, 1907 1,448,253 Bodker Mar. 13, 1923 

